U.S. patent application number 14/842147 was filed with the patent office on 2016-03-03 for piezoelectric energy harvester and wireless switch including the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to In Wha JEONG, Hugh KIM, Jong Heum PARK.
Application Number | 20160065094 14/842147 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55403695 |
Filed Date | 2016-03-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160065094 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
JEONG; In Wha ; et
al. |
March 3, 2016 |
PIEZOELECTRIC ENERGY HARVESTER AND WIRELESS SWITCH INCLUDING THE
SAME
Abstract
Examples provide a piezoelectric energy harvester and a wireless
switch including the same. The piezoelectric energy harvester
includes a pressure transmission part situated between a pressing
plate and a piezoelectric body, so as to transmit a uniform amount
of pressure to the piezoelectric body, thereby generating a
constant level of energy. In addition, a wireless switch uses
energy generated in the piezoelectric energy harvester as its
driving power, thereby transmitting radio frequency (RF)
communications signals to an external electronic device to control
the operation of the electronic device.
Inventors: |
JEONG; In Wha; (Suwon-si,
KR) ; PARK; Jong Heum; (Suwon-si, KR) ; KIM;
Hugh; (Suwon-si, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD. |
Suwon-si |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO.,
LTD.
Suwon-si
KR
|
Family ID: |
55403695 |
Appl. No.: |
14/842147 |
Filed: |
September 1, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
310/319 ;
310/339 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y04S 20/14 20130101;
H02N 2/18 20130101; H01H 13/705 20130101; H01H 2201/02 20130101;
Y02B 90/20 20130101; Y02B 90/224 20130101; H01H 2300/03 20130101;
H01L 41/1138 20130101; H01H 2239/076 20130101; H01H 2221/064
20130101; H01H 2221/038 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H02N 2/18 20060101
H02N002/18 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 1, 2014 |
KR |
10-2014-0115721 |
Apr 22, 2015 |
KR |
10-2015-0056709 |
Claims
1. A piezoelectric energy harvester comprising: a plate; a
piezoelectric element situated on one surface of the plate; a
pressing plate situated so as to be spaced apart from the
piezoelectric element; and a pressure transmission element situated
between the pressing plate and the piezoelectric element.
2. The piezoelectric energy harvester of claim 1, wherein the
pressing plate has a through-hole penetrating through the pressing
plate, one end of the pressure transmission element is inserted
into the through-hole, and the other end of the pressure
transmission element is situated to be in contact with the
piezoelectric element.
3. The piezoelectric energy harvester of claim 1, wherein the
pressure transmission element comprises: a body comprising upper
and lower portions that are open, and that comprises an internal
space; a first elastic member enclosing the upper portion of the
body; and a second elastic member enclosing the lower portion of
the body.
4. The piezoelectric energy harvester of claim 3, wherein the upper
portion of the body and the lower portion of the body have
different areas.
5. The piezoelectric energy harvester of claim 4, wherein the body
has a conical shape.
6. The piezoelectric energy harvester of claim 3, wherein the
internal space of the body is filled with a fluid.
7. The piezoelectric energy harvester of claim 6, wherein the fluid
is an incompressible fluid.
8. The piezoelectric energy harvester of claim 3, wherein the
internal space of the body is filled with a solid that conveys
elastic force.
9. The piezoelectric energy harvester of claim 3, wherein the first
elastic member is inserted into a through-hole penetrating through
the pressing plate, and the second elastic member is in contact
with the piezoelectric element.
10. The piezoelectric energy harvester of claim 9, wherein the
first elastic member and the second elastic member have different
areas.
11. The piezoelectric energy harvester of claim 9, wherein an area
of the first elastic member is larger than that of the second
elastic member.
12. The piezoelectric energy harvester of claim 9, wherein in
response to a force being applied to the first elastic member, an
amount of pressure acting on the first elastic member is smaller
than an amount of pressure acting on the second elastic member.
13. A wireless switch comprising: a piezoelectric energy harvester
comprising a plate, a piezoelectric element situated on one surface
of the plate, a pressing plate situated so as to be spaced apart
from the piezoelectric element, and a pressure transmission element
situated between the pressing plate and the piezoelectric element;
and a transmitting module that transmits electrical signals using
power generated by the piezoelectric energy harvester as driving
power.
14. The wireless switch of claim 13, wherein the pressing plate has
a through-hole penetrating through the pressing plate, one end of
the pressure transmission element is inserted into the
through-hole, and the other end of the pressure transmission
element is situated to be in contact with the piezoelectric
element.
15. The wireless switch of claim 13, wherein the pressure
transmission element comprises: a body comprising upper and lower
portions that are open, and that comprises an internal space; a
first elastic member enclosing the upper portion of the body; and a
second elastic member enclosing the lower portion of the body.
16. The wireless switch of claim 15, wherein the upper portion of
the body and the lower portion of the body have different areas.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 USC 119(a) of
Korean Patent Application Nos. 10-2014-0115721 filed on Sep. 1,
2014 and 10-2015-0056709 filed on Apr. 22, 2015, in the Korean
Intellectual Property Office, the entire disclosures of which are
incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] The following description relates to a piezoelectric energy
harvester and a wireless switch including the same.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Generally, a lighting device is turned on or off by using a
switch. Since such a switch needs to be disposed in a position
reachable by a user, the switch is generally positioned on the
surface of a wall within a building. Therefore, a power line
controlled by the switch is formed inside of the wall of the
building.
[0006] When the user turns such a lighting device on or off, the
user moves to be directly proximate to a wall on which the switch
is formed and manually manipulates the switch to turn the lighting
device on or off. However, this scheme is somewhat inconvenient in
terms of the need for direct manual manipulation of the switch by
the user. Hence, it may be difficult for a user to identify his or
her surroundings after the lighting device is turned off at night,
causing inconvenience in manipulation of the switch.
[0007] Therefore, a wireless switch device is useful in order to
address the inconvenience of manual manipulation as described above
and to allow for improved user convenience in turning lighting
devices on and off.
[0008] When a user manipulates a transmitting unit of a remote
control device, or the like, which acts as a wireless switch
device, a lighting device control signal is wirelessly transmitted
from the remote control device, and a receiving unit provided in
the wall receives the wireless signal from the remote control
device to turn the lighting device on or off.
[0009] Since a battery, or a similar source of electrical energy,
is embedded in the transmitting unit of the remote control device,
the battery needs to be periodically replaced, which is
inconvenient for the user.
SUMMARY
[0010] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of
concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in
the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify
key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter,
nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of
the claimed subject matter.
[0011] Examples provide a piezoelectric energy harvester capable of
providing driving power to a transmitting module included in a
wireless switch, and a wireless switch including the same.
[0012] Examples also provide a piezoelectric energy harvester in
which a uniform amount of pressure is transmitted to a
piezoelectric element included in the piezoelectric energy
harvester, and a wireless switch including the same.
[0013] According to an example, a piezoelectric energy harvester
includes a pressure transmission part disposed between a pressing
plate and a piezoelectric body to transmit a uniform amount of
pressure to the piezoelectric body, thereby generating a constant
level of energy.
[0014] In addition, according to another aspect of the present
disclosure, a wireless switch uses energy generated in the
piezoelectric energy harvester as driving power, thereby
transmitting radio frequency (RF) communications signals to an
external electronic device.
[0015] In one general aspect, a piezoelectric energy harvester
includes a plate, a piezoelectric element situated on one surface
of the plate, a pressing plate situated so as to be spaced apart
from the piezoelectric element, and a pressure transmission element
situated between the pressing plate and the piezoelectric
element.
[0016] The pressing plate may have a through-hole penetrating
through the pressing plate, one end of the pressure transmission
element may be inserted into the through-hole, and the other end of
the pressure transmission element may be situated to be in contact
with the piezoelectric element.
[0017] The pressure transmission element may include a body
including upper and lower portions that are open, and that
including an internal space, a first elastic member enclosing the
upper portion of the body, and a second elastic member enclosing
the lower portion of the body.
[0018] The upper portion of the body and the lower portion of the
body may have different areas.
[0019] The body may have a conical shape.
[0020] The internal space of the body may be filled with a
fluid.
[0021] The fluid may be an incompressible fluid.
[0022] The internal space of the body may be filled with a solid
that conveys elastic force.
[0023] The first elastic member may be inserted into a through-hole
penetrating through the pressing plate, and the second elastic
member may be in contact with the piezoelectric element.
[0024] The first elastic member and the second elastic member may
have different areas.
[0025] An area of the first elastic member may be larger than that
of the second elastic member.
[0026] In response to a force being applied to the first elastic
member, an amount of pressure acting on the first elastic member
may be smaller than an amount of pressure acting on the second
elastic member.
[0027] In another general aspect, a wireless switch includes a
piezoelectric energy harvester including a plate, a piezoelectric
element situated on one surface of the plate, a pressing plate
situated so as to be spaced apart from the piezoelectric element,
and a pressure transmission element situated between the pressing
plate and the piezoelectric element, and a transmitting module that
transmits electrical signals using power generated by the
piezoelectric energy harvester as driving power.
[0028] The pressing plate may have a through-hole penetrating
through the pressing plate, one end of the pressure transmission
element may be inserted into the through-hole, and the other end of
the pressure transmission element may be situated to be in contact
with the piezoelectric element.
[0029] The pressure transmission element may include a body
comprising upper and lower portions that are open, and that
includes an internal space, a first elastic member enclosing the
upper portion of the body, and a second elastic member enclosing
the lower portion of the body.
[0030] The upper portion of the body and the lower portion of the
body may have different areas.
[0031] Other features and aspects will be apparent from the
following detailed description, the drawings, and the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a wireless switch according to an
example.
[0033] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the wireless switch according
to an example.
[0034] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a piezoelectric energy
harvester according to an example.
[0035] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a manner in
which the piezoelectric energy harvester according to an example is
operated.
[0036] Throughout the drawings and the detailed description, the
same reference numerals refer to the same elements. The drawings
may not be to scale, and the relative size, proportions, and
depiction of elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for
clarity, illustration, and convenience.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0037] The following detailed description is provided to assist the
reader in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the methods,
apparatuses, and/or systems described herein. However, various
changes, modifications, and equivalents of the methods,
apparatuses, and/or systems described herein will be apparent to
one of ordinary skill in the art. The sequences of operations
described herein are merely examples, and are not limited to those
set forth herein, but may be changed as will be apparent to one of
ordinary skill in the art, with the exception of operations
necessarily occurring in a certain order. Also, descriptions of
functions and constructions that are well known to one of ordinary
skill in the art may be omitted for increased clarity and
conciseness.
[0038] The features described herein may be embodied in different
forms, and are not to be construed as being limited to the examples
described herein. Rather, the examples described herein have been
provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and
will convey the full scope of the disclosure to one of ordinary
skill in the art.
[0039] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a wireless switch according to an
example, and FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the wireless switch
according to an example.
[0040] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the wireless switch according to
an example includes a piezoelectric energy harvester 100, a
rectifier 200, a capacitor 300, a power controller 400, and a
transmitting module 500.
[0041] The wireless switch, according to an example, uses power
generated in the piezoelectric energy harvester 100 as driving
power to toggle the switch.
[0042] For example, the wireless switch is to be provided in a
location in which the wireless switch is easily manipulated by a
user.
[0043] As an example, the wireless switch is installed on a wall
surface, or the like. The wireless switch transmits control signals
for controlling a device disposed remotely from the wireless switch
itself using the transmitting module 500.
[0044] As an example, the wireless switch transmits different
wireless signals depending on a switching operation of the user to
control turning a lighting device disposed on the ceiling on and
off. However, this is only one example, and the location of a
lighting device is not limited to being disposed on the
ceiling.
[0045] However, the device controlled by the wireless switch and
disposed remotely from the wireless switch is not limited to being
a lighting device. For example, the controlled device is an air
conditioner, an audio device, or the like, disposed on the ceiling.
However, these are only examples, and the controlled device is
potentially any device which a user would like to activate and
deactivate remotely.
[0046] For example, ON and OFF buttons as illustrated in FIG. 1 are
provided in a structure in which they are be pressed by a user to
generate power in the piezoelectric energy harvester 100. Here, a
piezoelectric energy harvester 100 is a device that uses the
piezoelectric effect to generate an electrical charge by convert a
force by the user into an electric charge.
[0047] For example, the ON and OFF buttons are each a first elastic
member 141 among components of the piezoelectric energy harvester
100, as shown in FIGS. 3-4.
[0048] The piezoelectric energy harvester 100 provides an amount of
driving energy required for operating the wireless switch. Here,
the piezoelectric energy harvester 100 provides power required for
operating the transmitting module 500.
[0049] Power generated in the piezoelectric energy harvester 100
passes through the rectifier 200 and then is stored in the
capacitor 300.
[0050] For example, the power supplied from the capacitor 300 is
converted into power having a preset voltage level through the
power controller 400 and is then transmitted to the transmitting
module 500.
[0051] The transmitting module 500 generates communications signals
using the power received from the power controller 400. The
communications signals are transmitted to a receiving module of an
external electronic device.
[0052] That is, the wireless switch according to an example uses
energy generated using the piezoelectric energy harvester 100 as a
source of the driving power of the transmitting module 500, thereby
transmitting turn-on/off signals to the external lighting device
using energy derived from using the piezoelectric energy harvester
to convert a mechanical force into electrical energy.
[0053] Therefore, a wireless control system is simply built,
without using mechanically complicated components, in order to
connect a switch to a lighting device, or the like, in a home.
[0054] In addition, since the wireless switch is easily disposed in
a place in which the connection of power lines is difficult or
complicated, the wireless control system is more easily built than
alternatives.
[0055] In addition, the wireless switch, according to an example,
transmits signals for turning the lighting device on or off without
including a separate battery embedded therein.
[0056] Next, a configuration of the piezoelectric energy harvester
100 according to an example for generating the energy used as the
driving power of the transmitting module 500 will be described with
reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0057] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a piezoelectric energy
harvester according to an example and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional
view illustrating a manner in which the piezoelectric energy
harvester according to an example is operated.
[0058] First, referring to the example of FIG. 3, the piezoelectric
energy harvester 100 according to an example includes a plate 110,
a piezoelectric element 120 disposed on the plate 110, a pressing
plate 130 disposed to be spaced apart from the piezoelectric
element 120, and a pressure transmission part 140 disposed between
the pressing plate 130 and the piezoelectric element 120.
[0059] In the example of FIG. 3, the plate 110 is formed of a
material that is able to be elastically deformed.
[0060] In this example, the piezoelectric element 120 is disposed
on one surface of the plate 110. The piezoelectric element 120
includes a piezoelectric body 121, a first electrode 123 disposed
on one surface of the piezoelectric body 121, and a second
electrode 125 disposed on the other surface of the piezoelectric
body 121.
[0061] In addition, in some examples, the plate 110 is supported by
support parts.
[0062] For example, the support parts are disposed at both distal
ends of the plate 110, respectively, to support the plate 110.
[0063] Therefore, the plate 110 is elastically deformed together
with the piezoelectric element 120 in a state in which the plate
110 is supported by the support parts.
[0064] The pressing plate 130 is disposed to be spaced apart from
the piezoelectric element 120 and have a through-hole, not
illustrated, that is formed in the pressing plate 130 to penetrate
through the pressing plate 130. Also, the pressure transmission
part 140 is inserted into the through-hole, not illustrated.
[0065] For example, one side of the pressure transmission part 140
is inserted into the through-hole, not illustrated, and the other
side of the pressure transmission part 140 is disposed to contact
one surface of the piezoelectric element 120.
[0066] The pressure transmission part 140 includes a body 143
having upper and lower portions that are opened and including an
internal space, a first elastic member 141 enclosing the upper
portion of the body 143, and a second elastic member 145 enclosing
the lower portion of the body 143.
[0067] One side of the body 143 is inserted into the through-hole,
not illustrated, and the other side of the body 143 is disposed to
contact one surface of the piezoelectric element 120.
[0068] Here, in an example, areas of the upper and lower portions
of the body 143 are different from each other.
[0069] In one example, the body 143 has a conical shape in which
areas of the upper and lower portions thereof are different from
each other. However, a shape of the body 143 is not limited to the
conical shape. That is, a shape of the body 143 is not limited to a
particular shape as long as areas of the upper and lower portions
of the body 143 are different from each other. Thus, the body may
have any one of a variety of particular shapes.
[0070] In addition, in some examples, an area of the upper portion
of the body 143 is larger than that of the lower portion of the
body 143.
[0071] The first elastic member 141 is disposed on the upper
portion of the body 143 and encloses the upper portion of the body
143.
[0072] In addition, the second elastic member 145 is disposed on
the lower portion of the body 143 and encloses the lower portion of
the body 143.
[0073] Therefore, the internal space of the body 143 is enclosed by
the first and second elastic members 141 and 145.
[0074] For example, the internal space of the body 143 enclosed by
the first and second elastic members 141 and 145 is filled with a
fluid C.
[0075] Various appropriate fluids are used in examples as fluid C.
Here, furthermore, the fluid C disposed in the internal space of
the body 143 in some examples is chosen to be an incompressible
fluid.
[0076] In a case in which pressure is applied to the first elastic
member 141, the fluid C serves to transmit the pressure applied to
the first elastic member 141 to the second elastic member 145. The
role of the fluid C in transmitting the applied pressure is aided
when the fluid C is chosen to be an incompressible fluid.
[0077] For example, when the pressure, for example, pressure caused
by the user pressing the first elastic member 141, is applied to
the first elastic member 141, the first elastic member 141 is
displaced in a direction in which the pressure is applied to the
first elastic member 141, and the pressure is transmitted to the
second elastic member 145 through the fluid C.
[0078] Therefore, pressure is also applied to one surface of the
piezoelectric element 120 contacting the second elastic member 145
through the second elastic member 145, such that a displacement is
generated in the piezoelectric element 120.
[0079] Here, in a case in which the pressure is not applied to the
first elastic member 141, displacement is not generated in the
piezoelectric element 120.
[0080] Therefore, the second elastic member 145 is not displaced
toward the piezoelectric element 120 by the weights of the second
elastic member 145 and the fluid C.
[0081] Meanwhile, unlike that described above, the body 143 is not
filled with the fluid, but is instead filled with a solid.
[0082] In this case, the solid exerts an elastic force to transmit
the pressure applied to the first elastic member 141 to the second
elastic member 145.
[0083] When the displacement is generated in the piezoelectric
element 120, a piezoelectric effect resulting from a potential
difference occurs.
[0084] For example, when the user presses the first elastic member
141 disposed in the pressing plate 130, the displacement is
generated in the first elastic member 141.
[0085] When the displacement is generated in the first elastic
member 141, a volume of the fluid C disposed in the internal space
of the body 143 is changed, such that pressure is also applied to
the second elastic member 145.
[0086] In addition, since the second elastic member 145 contacts
one surface of the piezoelectric element 120, the pressure applied
to the second elastic member 145 is also transmitted to the
piezoelectric element 120.
[0087] In addition, when the pressure is applied to the
piezoelectric element 120 through the second elastic member 145,
the displacement is generated in the piezoelectric element 120.
[0088] When the displacement is generated in the piezoelectric
element 120, electrical polarization is generated in the
piezoelectric element 120.
[0089] Therefore, a voltage is generated in the first electrode 123
and the second electrode 125 respectively provided on one surface
and the other surface of the piezoelectric body 121, and an output
current generated through the voltage is used as the driving power
of the transmitting module 500.
[0090] In examples, the piezoelectric body 121 is formed of lead
zirconate titanate, barium titanate (BaTiO.sub.3), lead titanate
(PbTiO.sub.3), lithium niobate (LiNbO.sub.3), silicon dioxide
(SiO.sub.2), or the like. These materials are example materials
that have a piezoelectric response and hence are able to
appropriately generate energy so that the voltage is generated as
discussed above. However, these are only examples of candidate
materials for the piezoelectric body 121, and other appropriate
materials are also used in other examples.
[0091] The second electrode 125 is provided in order to generate a
potential difference, and is disposed on the other surface of the
piezoelectric body 121 in order to correspond to the first
electrode 123.
[0092] Meanwhile, in a case in which force acts on the first
elastic member 141, the force is uniformly transmitted to the
piezoelectric element 120 by the pressure transmission part
140.
[0093] As illustrated in FIG. 4, when an amount of pressure applied
to the first elastic member 141 is P1, an area of the first elastic
member 141 is A1, an amount of pressure applied to the second
elastic member 145 is P2, and an area of the second elastic member
145 is A2, the amount of pressure applied to the second elastic
member 145 is calculated by the following Equation 1, below:
P 2 = P 1 .times. ( A 1 A 2 ) n Equation 1 ##EQU00001##
[0094] Here, 1.ltoreq.n.ltoreq.2.
[0095] Therefore, when the area A1 of the first elastic member 141
is larger than the area A2 of the second elastic member 145, the
amount of pressure P2 applied to the second elastic member 145 is
greater than the amount of pressure P1 applied to the first elastic
member 141, in accordance with Equation 1.
[0096] That is, P2>P1 may be satisfied.
[0097] When the amount of pressure P2, which is greater than the
amount of pressure P1 applied to the first elastic member 141, is
applied to the second elastic member 145, since the second elastic
member 145 and one surface of the piezoelectric element 120 contact
each other, the amount of pressure P2 applied to the second elastic
member 145 is also applied to the piezoelectric element 120.
[0098] Therefore, the amount of pressure P2 greater than the amount
of pressure P1 applied to the first elastic member 141 is applied
to the piezoelectric element 120.
[0099] That is, when the user presses the first elastic member 141,
even though the relatively small amount of pressure P1 is applied
to the first elastic member 141, the relatively large amount of
pressure P2 is transmitted to the piezoelectric element 120.
[0100] Therefore, when the user presses the first elastic member
141, even though the relatively small amount of pressure P1 is
applied to the first elastic member 141, a displacement amount of
the piezoelectric element 120 is increased. As a result, an amount
of power generated in the piezoelectric energy harvester 100
according to an example is increased.
[0101] Meanwhile, a uniform amount of pressure is transmitted to a
portion of the piezoelectric element 120 contacting the second
elastic member 145 on one surface of the piezoelectric element
120.
[0102] Since the pressure applied to the first elastic member 141
is transmitted to the second elastic member 145 by the fluid C
disposed in the internal space of the body 143, the uniform amount
of pressure is transmitted to the portion of the piezoelectric
element 120 in contact with the second elastic member 145 on one
surface of the piezoelectric element 120.
[0103] Here, in a case in which the entirety of one surface of the
piezoelectric element 120 contacts the second elastic member 145,
the uniform amount of pressure P2 is transmitted to the entirety of
one surface of the piezoelectric element 120.
[0104] The uniform amount of pressure is transmitted to the
entirety of one surface of the piezoelectric element 120 in contact
with the second elastic member 145 by the fluid C disposed in the
internal space of the body 143.
[0105] As described above, the pressure is transmitted to the
piezoelectric element 120 through the pressure transmission part
140, and the power generated by the displacement of the
piezoelectric element 120 is transmitted to the transmitting module
500 and is used for the driving power of the transmitting module
500.
[0106] Therefore, the wireless switch according to an example
transmits the communications signals to the external electronic
device without including a separate battery embedded in the
wireless switch, because the power generated using the
piezoelectric effect is sufficient to allow the communication
without the need for such a separate battery.
[0107] As set forth above, the piezoelectric energy harvester
according to an exemplary embodiment in the present disclosure
provides driving power to the transmitting module included in the
wireless switch. Therefore, the wireless switch including the
piezoelectric energy harvester according to an example transmits
signals for turning the lighting device on or off without including
a separate battery embedded therein.
[0108] In addition, in the piezoelectric energy harvester and the
wireless switch including the same according to an example, a
uniform amount of pressure is transmitted to the piezoelectric
element.
[0109] Unless indicated otherwise, a statement that a first layer
is "on" a second layer or a substrate is to be interpreted as
covering both a case where the first layer directly contacts the
second layer or the substrate, and a case where one or more other
layers are disposed between the first layer and the second layer or
the substrate.
[0110] Words describing relative spatial relationships, such as
"below", "beneath", "under", "lower", "bottom", "above", "over",
"upper", "top", "left", and "right", may be used to conveniently
describe spatial relationships of one device or elements with other
devices or elements. Such words are to be interpreted as
encompassing a device oriented as illustrated in the drawings, and
in other orientations in use or operation. For example, an example
in which a device includes a second layer disposed above a first
layer based on the orientation of the device illustrated in the
drawings also encompasses the device when the device is flipped
upside down in use or operation.
[0111] While this disclosure includes specific examples, it will be
apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that various changes
in form and details may be made in these examples without departing
from the spirit and scope of the claims and their equivalents. The
examples described herein are to be considered in a descriptive
sense only, and not for purposes of limitation. Descriptions of
features or aspects in each example are to be considered as being
applicable to similar features or aspects in other examples.
Suitable results may be achieved if the described techniques are
performed in a different order, and/or if components in a described
system, architecture, device, or circuit are combined in a
different manner, and/or replaced or supplemented by other
components or their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the
disclosure is defined not by the detailed description, but by the
claims and their equivalents, and all variations within the scope
of the claims and their equivalents are to be construed as being
included in the disclosure.
* * * * *